Hello all! I missed you, I really did! :)
Seriously. :D
Oh, I love you all for reviewing when you could've ignored silly old me and my pathetic writings. But you didn't, so I love you all! In a I've-never-met-you-before-but-we-still-have-this-emotional-connection sort of way. Yep.
The point to all this rambling and love is that I'm BACK! And I'm free! So, so wonderfully free! Now I'll stop and answer your reviews, even though I'm so damn lazy and I don't want to. XD
Okay, where do I start??
mangagirl16: Aww, thank you! Yeah, it's killing me too. I have no idea either. :D
black moon inu: Am I too late? I hope not. Then I'll have to fetch my CBI (Chris's Bureau of Investigation, teehee) to get you back! And yes, hugs and puppies to you too!
twinkling-moments: I love your pen name, by the way. Umm, I live in America, though I wish I could live in Japan, but that won't happen until I'm 18 and free from the rule of my over protective parents. Nah, it doesn't sound stalkerish at all! :) YOU LIVE IN KOREA!?!? I'm Korean too! 언니, 안녕하세요! Aww, thanks for the compliment! I don't think I'm so good, though. I'm sure you're better. :)
Kishusbabe: You serious?! Thanks so much! Yeah, I really want to write more stories, but frankly, my self-criticism and laziness isn't helping me much on that goal.
lionetspirit: Why, thank you! I'm glad you think it's funny, because I find humor my weak point. I personally think my humor in this story is just, well, horrible, and it makes me self-conscious or something. Oh, you flatter me, really. :) I hope this chapter was worth the wait!
Anjyu: Thank you! That's really sweet! I hope you laugh and smile in this chapter too. :)
RxI4eva: Haha, nice penname! I just got it. XP And thank you!
Mew-Sahara: Thanks so much, really! I really don't think I'm so good a writer. You're pretty fabulous yourself. ;) And thank you for the luck! I know I need it...The only thing that's eating at me is February, when the results come. Yikes... And yes, doll, the Grammy is for you. ;D
Suuz112: Arigato! (I'm so sick of saying "Thank you!" It's so old. :D) I'm glad you think so, and thanks for reviewing!
Ichigo-nya: WHOAA! You're in France? Holy schmoly, that's so cool! And going back to England- you lucky dog, you! And you better have that computer! :D
Very Annoied Melody: Thank youuuuuu! XD
Artificial Life Creator: Thank you to you! Thank you to you! Thank you to youuuuuuu *voice cracks* Thank you to YOUUU!
Tomoyo Kinomoto: Thank you for the sentimental review- I'll be sure to follow your great advice! :) Oh, I love those fortune cookies! My life is at their crunchy goodness. Thank you for the luck!
ILikePie95: Thank you. I like pie as well. :D
Faila: Amazing?! Really?! Thanks so much!
draganett: Haha, I can't resist the cute face! So BAM! Here it is! Waaaaay down there...
digitalmonster911: Is that so? Then I hope the story's moving now. :) And yes, we all need some Ryou x Ichi lovey dovey ness!
Audelle: Thank chuu! Glad you love it! ;D
Tomoyo Kinomoto: Brilliant! BRILLIANT! Someone, please, get this genius a giant medal for the best story plotline ever! I love the pie part, though. And I am seriously, seriously considering that...
Plain Jane Is A Vampire: Aww, really?! Then damn me for being so conspicuous. :) But thanks so much for the review!
Hcc: Nahh, not in that chapter. I don't even know if it'll even be in this chapter. Heehee...And as for the other question, you'll have to read to find out! No fun in giving it away, nya?
xSapphirexRosesxFanx: Thank you! :D
minniemouselover: High standard-? Moi? Oh, I love you! *glomps the screen* Haha, oh yes, I loved the date too! Naughty, naughty! You'll just have to read to find out what happens to Masaya-kun! And don't worry, I love long reviews!
Arieva LeFly: Oh, really?! Then thank you SO much! Though I still think you're kind. :D Haha, yes, little Miwa turning into a bitch is hilarious. "Action", hmm? ;)
butterflyangellover14: Yeah, I think I can understand her too, though I dramatized it waaaay too much...sweatdrop.
Azilda: Nice penname change, it sounds pretty-ful. And yep, it's me, alive in the flesh! Well, pixels...or something. But whatever! I don't think this is soon...but I hope you're still sticking with me! Thanks for the review! :)
KyoxSakiFan: Haha, oh that was funny! And thank you for the review!
Well, now that that's done...
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Tokyo Mew Mew. Do you really think it would've ended like that if I did?! It makes me want to knock some sense into that girl.
Okay. This is the product of listening to DBSK, Big Bang, Wonder Girls, Lee Hyori, and other random Korean singers. Whatever influence their songs had on me while I was writing this crap...... go lynch them. :D
So, ENJOYYYYYYYYY!
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ChapterTen
.:One Letter, Two Letters, Red Letter, Blue Letter:.
"Expect the unexpected, like how I'm reusing a quote, because if you expect the unexpected, then nothing can be unexpect-able and everything will be expected because nothing is unexpect-able."
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The sweet spring air and blossoming flowers of May slithered into the raging green of June, with the glimmering sun that beat down on Japan so gently in May- with exceptions, of course, for weather was never one to be called predictable-, glared down at the citizens viciously in June, and the people feared what the remainder of the summer months would be. The weeks had long passed since the arrival of the letter from Masaya Aoyama, and that same letter rested at the top of her desk, covered with dust, and the clean, punctual, manila envelope was put to shame by being hidden and dirtied so with filth. But Ichigo did not care about the letter, or so she told herself everyday, as her fingers itched to tear it open and read it, for she and Masaya were done. Over. Finished.
The audacity of him to send her a letter only a few days after they had broken up! Why that- that brute! That scoundrel! And the fact she actually wants to read it after he hurt her so put her to shame- shame and utter pain that made her cry into her pillow some nights. Yes, she was young, only fifteen- what was she to know of love? She was sure her parents would cluck at her and chide her, nagging her to believe it was just a silly school crush, and why, I had a few myself, and you'll get over it soon. Ichigo seethed at the thought. She wouldn't- couldn't, even if she wanted to, get over him! She had simply done too much for him, thought too much of him, had a "silly school girl crush" simply too strong to forget about him so quickly! But, ultimately, in the end, though she had wished dearly for time to go back, to stop, to never move forward...it did. And life resumed as usual, or, as well as she could fake a smile.
The scandal with Miwa was revealed a few days after the letter. Apparently, the poor girl was sick of being manipulated by the Gossip Girls, and revealed herself to be the notorious photographer that made the lives of others a living hell. However, she betrayed her so-called "comrades" by revealing their names and classes to the teachers and school newspaper. Despite her now low status in school and being infamous for being despised throughout the entire building- except the teachers; they were relieved all this drama was over- Moe and Ichigo, who grudgingly got over their anger at her after a week of silent treatments, and who both admired her courage, accepted her back into the group. Miwa, of course, explained the whole scandal, apologized a thousand times, and jokingly asked if packing fish everyday for lunch would cover the atrocity of the situation. This, Ichigo laughed to, and Moe pouted, demanding that unless fried rice was added, there would be no truce. Thus the trio was reunited, and happily reunited, despite the dirty looks shot by the other girls at their peals of laughter and inside jokes.
And even at the café, relationships grew better. Well, Ichigo had always spent time happily with the other girls at the café, even Mint, and the ever bonded relationship between the girls always grew. Specifically speaking, it was her relationship with a certain male blonde that rose from a sickeningly, disgusting hatred from being treated like a slave- which, of course, on Ichigo's part, has been greatly exaggerated- to a content acceptance of his existence. In simpler words, where the little strawberry cannot rant about her utter hatred for this great brute of a blonde, she likes him. But only as a friend. After their, err, moment together at the café, she had gradually grown to trust him more as the weeks had passed, and even took liberty of visiting the café one day, on her own free will, to talk about her little dilemma at school. To this, he laughed, and she whacked him on the head for being so carefree at such a disastrous situation. "They even took a picture of us- well, you know, that night- with us-" Ichigo stuttered off, turning bright red from both anger and embarrassment.
"Us what? I don't recall what happened that night, Strawberry. Care to retell it?" From the perplexity of his voice, Ichigo had almost believed him until she looked at his grinning face and dancing blue eyes.
"Stop laughing, Shirogane! You know perfectly well what happened that night, and I'm not going to remember that again! They took pictures of that, you know! Posted them all over the classrooms and bathrooms! Anonymously, too, so they won't be caught!"
"Do you have a copy?"
She stared at him suspiciously. "Why? What could you possibly need them for?"
"Blackmail," he said simply, with a wide, amused grin. She smacked him in response. "Oww-! You hit like a gorilla, you know that? Oww-! I didn't mean it, I swear! Ichigo, stay away from that broom! I'll dock your wages in half, you-"
Oh, how she hated him so, Ichigo thought, brown eyes twinkling with amusement as she doubled with laughter at the cowering Shirogane. She hated him so much, and her mind functioned at the thought, because it was so practical, so coherent, that she never thought otherwise. But the fact of the matter was, the hatred, strong when she first met Shirogane at the beginning, fueled by confusion, by the burdens thrown at her shoulder, by making her turn into this monster, had ebbed away slowly with his charm and unpredictable kindness- until all that was left was an excuse she held onto so strongly, because "hating" Shirogane was all she could ever do. When the day comes, however, when Ichigo realizes that deep down, she does care for him, whether it may be brother or lover, all hell would break loose. But until then, she would believe in her hatred for him.
All was going so well, and the school semester was halfway into June, with Ichigo's frequent visits to Ryou Shirogane, with the patched up friendship of Miwa, with her mending heart from the pain that Masaya brought, with the forgotten letter carrying dust until another one came to break her happiness. She came home, humming happily from her café job, after attempting, and successfully making a cat shaped cookie that would contribute to the café's menu, to see her mother sitting at the exact same location when the last letter came. In front of her, another envelope sat, manila, and she dropped her bag at the sight of it. The noise startled her mother, and she looked up, surprised. "Oh, Ichigo, darling, don't do that again! You scared me! Come, another letter came from Aoyama-kun. I think you should read it Ichigo." Her mother looked up and caught Ichigo's eyes. "And this time, please don't let it catch dust on top of your desk." Ichigo's cheeks burned and she reluctantly took the envelope from her mother. Shuffling upstairs to her room, her bag handing from one shoulder, she closed the door behind her and threw the bag aside. Reaching up to the top of her desk, she felt the envelope and took it with her as she flopped down onto her bed. The first envelope was pristine, the manila color beautifully beige with the dust gone. And she had often told her mother not to come into her room, too. Sighing, muttering about nosy mothers half-heartedly, her fingers held the envelope nervously.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous Ichigo, it's just a stupid letter," she muttered to herself, and encouraged by her aloof words, tore open the envelope. The paper, equally pristine and immaculate as the envelope, was folded into three, and she could see the neat handwriting of Masaya-kun through the back. Hesitantly, she reached for it, and opened it, fingers trembling as she dared read it.
Dear Ichigo,
Dear. Dear! Dear! She was dear to him! Trembling at her own pitiable attitude, she tore her eyes from the letter. Kami, she couldn't do this. But why couldn't she? They had broken up, hadn't they? She was no longer that- that essential part of him. She was just Ichigo. No Masaya. Never. And she could get over him, couldn't she? Determination, though but a weak flame, but still alive, soared through her veins. Yes, yes, she would get over him. And she would prove it to him by sending a letter of her own, unless-...
Her eyes sparkled at the thought. Unless he was writing to her because he made a mistake? He still loved her? Yes! Yes, that had to be it! Her fingers grabbed the paper again, eyes reading the words hungrily.
Dear Ichigo,
I am very sorry about our breakup. I really, truly am. Please believe me. I would never want to hurt you, Ichigo. But I had to move to America, permanently, and I knew I would never see you again. I didn't want you to wait for me, to hope for me to come back, because I knew it would hurt you. So I broke up with you to set you free. So please, please Ichigo, forget about me. I don't deserve you for being so despicable. Good-bye.
Sincerely,
Masaya Aoyama.
The letter, was short, but worst of all...simple. This was not what she was expecting. Not she had been wanting or needing after her heart had begun to heal. Much to her dismay, she saw a drop of water land on the letter, smudging the words "Good-bye." No, no, no...She didn't want this! She didn't want words of pity! More drops fell onto the page, blurring the words, and she cast the letter aside, crying freely. Where was the love? The regret? Why wasn't he telling her he missed her so, and it was all a mistake and he wanted her back like she wanted him? Why? "Masaya Aoyama, I ha-!" She screamed, and a sob broke the end of the phrase. "I love you. I love you, you jerk, and this is what you do!" Ichigo pounded the pillow with her fists, and sobbing into it, calling her first, true love despicable names and cursing him, and screaming she loved him. Her foot kicked the second letter off the bed, and it fell to the rugged floor of her bedroom, forgotten. And it lay there, unnoticed, until Ichigo, worn out, blinked wearily out the window next to her bed, tired, but not in the sense that made her want to fall asleep. It still lay there, when Ichigo's mother called her daughter for dinner; unremembered even when Ichigo was done brushing her teeth and changed into her pajamas; and as Ichigo slumbered to sleep, dreaming of Masaya, it sat quietly on the floor, waiting for her to remember, and open, to read the message that Masaya had written to her.
And she did, but that was a few hours later, when she woke up in the middle of the night, happy that her nightmare of chasing and far away Aoyama-kuns were over. Only there, did she suddenly remember the second letter, and abruptly, she got out of bed, dazed as she bumped into the desk, and turned on the light. Her eyes caught sight of it laying on the plush floor, the envelope crinkled on where she stepped on it accidentally from getting out of bed. Ichigo, still rather dazed, picked up the letter and sat on her bed, gazing at it emptily. Now what could it possibly say this time, she wondered, and there was still that small spark left, but this time of hope that he wanted her back. After all, why send a second letter? She laughed off the thought as she, this time neatly, opened the envelope.
Ichigo.
Ichigo.
Ichigo.
This may be the last time I ever talk to you again. And I miss you. So much. I'm an insolent fool for writing back so soon after writing that despicable letter to you, but I don't care. Let me die a selfish man; let me die a wretched man for making me hope that after reading this, you'll come. Ichigo, I love you. I love you. I love you. I could say it a thousand times and each time I'll love it even more.
I'm not going to live much anymore, Ichigo. I'm sick, and I don't mean that I have a cold, or morally deficient, though I am for sending these letters to you. Letters, you ask? This is my fiftieth one- what else can I do trapped in a hospital bed? I write to you, dearly, passionately, pathetically, hopingly, but I throw them out. I'm going to throw this out, for I'll be a fool if you'd ever read it. And I'm glad I'm throwing it out. I'm so sick for wanting you to come here, and I'm sick with leukemia and dying. Oh, but I miss you so much. I love you. I'm sorry I broke up with you. I'm sorry I had to have this wretched disease and move to this wretched country, because no matter what you're not here.
I love you so much. Why, why did I have to be diagnosed with this? I can never be with you. The doctors say I don't have much left, and I want to be with you before I die, but I can't let you because you'll be hurt. I hope you'll be hurt, because then it means you love me. I'm a sick, sick animal. But I love you. I hope you still love me too.
Yours and forever,
Aoyama Masaya.
Now, the man is most certainly not a hypocrite for sending the letter when he promised not to. Aoyama Masaya was a gentlemen, a nice young boy with so many possibilities, a heartthrob of his contemporaries, a perfectly moralistic and affable man that few see nowadays that was thrown into a harsh life much too real and unexpected. It had been about two years since the realization of his diagnosis with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (or ALL.) At thirteen, Masaya Aoyama was a young, carefree boy, rowdy and rebellious as boys his age are, wanting the life of games and fun and no burdens. But also at the unfortunate age of thirteen, he was struck with leukemia. His case was not critical, but serious enough to be dismissed with the wave of a hand. For months of his juvenile life, he stayed trapped in a hospital bed, sadly eyeing the children outside grow and be free while he lay immobile with a shaven head. He saw his parents grow older, with their faces lined deeper with wrinkles and fake smiles. Being trapped in bed showed the volatile ways of life and the chances one gets in a single lifetime. Aoyama came in just another selfish teenager but out, months later, but still out as he thanked Kami, more a gentleman than his contemporaries. All was well for the next year and passing months until, in early May of his high school year, age fifteen, the pains began. And the gumdo match during that month only proved it.
Then, after his parents rushed into the hospital, mother crying hysterically, did they decide to move to the States where medicine was far better so they could treat their young boy. And a little more than a week after his stationary life at the hospital did he write the first letter to Ichigo. He sent it, a bit refreshed, and from then on, he requested nothing but paper and pens from the nurses that came to visit him. The nurses were pleased with him because he was so gentlemanly, and they were affectionate with him. The nurses knew what the boy was writing about, because they were a curious bunch of people, and sometimes read over his shoulder discreetly, and one even had the audacity to take a crumpled letter out the trash to read. It was written in Japanese, of course, and the nurse had skillfully translated it, because she knew some "people," she had said, giggling. And from then on, after reading the passionate declaration and unrequited love from the boy's unsent letters, the nurses planned to send one to the girl he ardently cared for.
And thus comes to predicament, where Aoyama is unbeknownst to the fact that the nurses sent the letter to Ichigo, and Ichigo perplexed, yet ridiculously happy, as to how and why the letter was even sent if Aoyama-kun vowed not to send it. "Oh, Kami," Ichigo said, blinking after reading the letter. The approaching dawn was spent first crying relentlessly of his sickness, his poor illness, and pity; next, she rejoiced from happiness that despite the first letter, despite all that happened, he still loved her! He still loved her! She cried from happiness and relief. Then, as the morning sky cleared to blue and her alarm clock rang wildly, a bewildered Ichigo wondered what the hell to do with this information.
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HAHA! I did it! It's finished! Well, you like it?? Review please!